Who doesn’t like a day off work every year when Labor Day rolls around? It feels like the last hurrah at the pool before temperatures dip below 95 here in Texas.
This week, I was incredibly busy. I needed rest but couldn’t seem to fit the time for it! I found my mind racing with worry about how I was going to get everything done on my list. So much left undone.
As I start this busy fall season, I need to remind myself of things that help me truly rest this Labor Day:
Mind my Mind- When my mind goes to all my worries or thoughts of the future, I can’t truly embrace Christ in those moments. He’s not in the future; He’s present right now. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
What do I focus on in my thought life? Do those thoughts keep me anxious? Worried? Resentful? Angry? Or peaceful? When we are fully at rest, we are anchoring our minds upon Jesus.
Come to Jesus - Today, my mind was spinning in all sorts of directions. What kind of existing desires were making me in such a frenzy? I had to ask God. Jesus invites “all who are weary” to come to Him for rest. (Matthew 11:28) Jesus was asking me to come to Him. He would calm my spinning mind. He would give me the rest I was longing for. And He did!
Acknowledge your Need for God’s Help- Do you acknowledge your immense need for God’s help? Or do you just live life the best you can on your own? Problems arise when we try to go our own way and live in our own strength. Where have you been living life in your own strength? Nothing reminds me more of my connection and need for God, but these verses in John 15:5, 9 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
I’m not going to say that abiding in Jesus is easy. But today, I practiced over and over keeping Him at the forefront of my mind. Abiding in Him is possible! You see, I know my true state. I’m helpless without Him. It’s in this place of great need that He meets me where I’m at, with His presence, grace, and unfailing love.
Cease Striving- In Marva Dawn’s book, Keeping the Sabbath Wholly, she describes what people find when they surrender completely to God “When we cease striving to be God, we learn a whole new kind of contentment, the delight of the presence of God in our present circumstances. When we give up our silly rebellion against God’s purposes, we discover that he provides the security for which we were searching.” Let God be God. We are not God. Stop trying to be! Allow Him to take the weight of all you’ve been working toward. He can handle it.
I’m writing this message for me today. Hopefully, some of the rest of you need it as well.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30, The Message
As I start this busy fall season, I need to remind myself of things that help me truly rest this Labor Day:
Mind my Mind- When my mind goes to all my worries or thoughts of the future, I can’t truly embrace Christ in those moments. He’s not in the future; He’s present right now. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
What do I focus on in my thought life? Do those thoughts keep me anxious? Worried? Resentful? Angry? Or peaceful? When we are fully at rest, we are anchoring our minds upon Jesus.
Come to Jesus - Today, my mind was spinning in all sorts of directions. What kind of existing desires were making me in such a frenzy? I had to ask God. Jesus invites “all who are weary” to come to Him for rest. (Matthew 11:28) Jesus was asking me to come to Him. He would calm my spinning mind. He would give me the rest I was longing for. And He did!
Acknowledge your Need for God’s Help- Do you acknowledge your immense need for God’s help? Or do you just live life the best you can on your own? Problems arise when we try to go our own way and live in our own strength. Where have you been living life in your own strength? Nothing reminds me more of my connection and need for God, but these verses in John 15:5, 9 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
I’m not going to say that abiding in Jesus is easy. But today, I practiced over and over keeping Him at the forefront of my mind. Abiding in Him is possible! You see, I know my true state. I’m helpless without Him. It’s in this place of great need that He meets me where I’m at, with His presence, grace, and unfailing love.
Cease Striving- In Marva Dawn’s book, Keeping the Sabbath Wholly, she describes what people find when they surrender completely to God “When we cease striving to be God, we learn a whole new kind of contentment, the delight of the presence of God in our present circumstances. When we give up our silly rebellion against God’s purposes, we discover that he provides the security for which we were searching.” Let God be God. We are not God. Stop trying to be! Allow Him to take the weight of all you’ve been working toward. He can handle it.
I’m writing this message for me today. Hopefully, some of the rest of you need it as well.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30, The Message
Take a moment to rest and worship with Kari Jobe: https://www.youtube.com/
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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